p to their pledges come over to
starboard, while the rest stand on the larboard side."

For a short time the men hesitated, then first one, then another, and
finally the whole body came over to the starboard side.

"I thought it would be so!" exclaimed the captain. "Thank you, lads. I
intend to trust you; and if we meet an enemy, I am sure you will prove
that you are true British seamen."

The crew gave a hearty cheer in reply, and that cheer must have proved
to the leaders of the mutiny that their influence over the men was lost.

To prevent them committing further mischief, we kept them in irons,
intending to deliver them over to the first English ship of war we
should meet.

Next morning, from the way the men behaved, and the quietness which
prevailed, no one would have supposed that a fearful conflict had been
imminent the previous night. They, indeed, went about their regular
duties with more than usual alacrity. We let them see, however, that we
were prepared, should they be inclined for mischief.

Our intention was to visit Sardinia, Majorca, Minorca, and other islands
in that direction, then to run down the coast of Italy and Sicily, and
afterwards steer for the Levant, making inquiries at all places and of
all the vessels we met for the missing _Hector_. We were many weeks
thus employed, often being delayed by calms and kept long in port while
prosecuting our inquiries.

When off Elba we sighted several ships showing English colours. We ran
down to them, and found that they formed part of a squadron under
Commodore Bodley. Heaving to, we lowered a boat, and I took Master
Watkins with the three other prisoners on board the commodore's ship,
telling him of the trick they wished to play us.

"They'll not attempt a like one again," answered the commodore. "We
shall probably engage with the enemy before long, and they will then
have an opportunity of retrieving their characters."

As the calm came on, I was able to visit each ship and make inquiries
for the _Hector_; but no tidings could I gain of her.

It would occupy too much space were I to describe the places we visited,
and all the adventures we met with.

We lay for several days in the beautiful Bay of Naples to refit, and
then stood across for Sicily, where we saw Mount Etna casting up fire
and smoke, and afterwards coming off the island of Stromboli, we were
well-nigh overwhelmed by the showers of ashes which fell on our deck,
making the